Australia

Northern Territory State Sponsorship requirements have been changed for the year of 2020, new eligibility criteria for Northern Territory nomination under the General Skilled Migration Program come into effect from 1 July 2020.

The General Skilled Migration Program of Northern Territory Immigration covers Skilled Work Regional (Provisional) (subclass 491) visa and Skilled Nominated (subclass 190) visa. Therefore, these recent changes will be valid for both subclasses of the Skilled Immigration of Australia.

Key Requirements of the Department of Home Affairs

Skills Assessment: You will need a full skills assessment from a relevant Australian skills assessment and assessing authority, for the skilled occupation that you have nominated.

A skills assessment is an independent assessment of whether you have the skills and / or experience to undertake an occupation in Australia. For information about which skills assessment body provides an assessment for your occupation, go to the Department of Home Affairs website.

English Language: The minimum English language requirement is an outcome of competent unless otherwise specified by assessing/licensing or registration body or on the Northern Territory (NT) Migration Occupation List. Competent means the equivalent of at least IELTS 6.0 in each band level.

NT Government accepts all English tests approved by Australian Government’s Department of Home Affairs.

For a list of language tests accepted and the comparison of test scores go to the Department of Home Affairs website.

Points Test: Meet the skilled migration points test of 65 or higher.

Northern Territory State Sponsorship Requirements

In addition to the above, you must also meet the Northern Territory (NT) Government requirements.

If you already live in Australia

For specific guidelines on eligibility read important information if you live in Australia.

Please note the following general information:

• if you or any of your migrating dependants are currently living interstate, you will not be eligible for the Northern Territory (NT) nomination
• if you or any of your migrating dependants are currently on a student visa and are currently studying in an NT institution, you will not be eligible for NT nomination
• if you have already been nominated for a subclass 489 or 491 visa by the NT, you will not be eligible for a subclass 190 nomination.

If you are apply from outside Australia

If you are currently living outside Australia, you will generally only be offered a subclass 491 nomination.

Offshore applicants must have been employed in their nominated occupation for at least 12 months out of the last 24 months prior to your application, or have relevant Australian qualifications.

Offshore applicants must have an offer of full-time relevant employment in the NT, if the NT Migration Occupation List requires it.

Please note, that the NT has limited places for nomination, which means that applications must be of a very high standard to be nominated. Meeting the above requirements does not guarantee a nomination.

Commitment to NT

Accepting a nomination from Australia’s NT Government means that you are agreeing to the following conditions:

 

• live and work in the NT in your skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation for at least three years from visa grant
• let the NT Government know the status of your visa application – you need to do this when your visa is granted and when you arrive
• regularly provide your current contact details to the NT Government
• participate in surveys conducted by the NT Government.

If you are offered an NT Government nomination, a declaration form will be issued which will outline these obligations and you will be required to acknowledge, sign and return.

MigrationNT considers a number of factors in assessing commitment to the NT, including:

• length of residency in the NT
• previous travel to the NT
• connections to the NT (for example, close family members being long-term residents of the NT).

Northern Territory Migration Occupation List

You must have a skilled occupation that is on the Australian Government’s current list of eligible skilled occupations.

The Northern Territory Migration Occupation List (NTMOL) provides an indication as to which of the eligible skilled occupations are in demand in the NT. Offshore applicants must read the NTMOL to determine their eligibility.

Employability

You must provide strong evidence of good employment prospects in the NT either in your skilled occupation or a closely related skilled occupation.

You can show you have good employment prospects by providing:

• an offer of employment letter from an NT employer
• a statement describing how your skills and experience meet NT employer needs
• evidence that your occupation has been advertised in the NT multiple times and detailed explanations of how your qualifications and experience match the job vacancies
• evidence of positive feedback from potential NT employers.

Please see specific information on the required evidence on employability for onshore and offshore applicants.

Financial Capacity (If applicants outside the NT)

You must provide a list of all your financial assets in Australian dollars. You must provide verifiable documents evidence of those assets. For example, clear colour copies of bank statements, share certificates, property valuations and jewellery evaluations.

The table below gives you detail on the assets you need and the summary you have to provide.

Family composition	Minimum value of net assets
Individual applicant	AU$35 000
Applicant and spouse	AU$50 000
Applicant and spouse plus one child	AU$60 000
Applicant and spouse plus two children	AU$65 000

 

Australian Immigration Points concept derived from SkillSelect system which is points based where applicants receive points against the different factors. Applicants must score a minimum of 65 points to become an eligible candidate. The following details will give you a general idea that how points are awarded for Skilled Visas of Australia (Subclass 189, 190, 491).

You can evaluate yourself through our online points calculation for Australian Immigration Points.

Australian Immigration Points Criteria

Factor 1: Age (maximum 30 points):

You’ll get points based on your age on the day we get your application.

Factor 2: English Language skills (maximum 20 points):

It’s very important to be able to communicate in English and get a required score in IELTS, PTE-Academic, CAE or TOEFL. The proficiency divided into three parts; competent, proficient and superior and it will give you points based on your ability to write, read, listen & speak.

Those from native English speaking countries and applicants who have been awarded a tertiary degree (equivalent to an Australian Bachelor’s degree or higher qualification) from a University where English is the main language do not need to take an English language proficiency test.

Factor 3: Overseas Skilled employment (maximum 15 points):

Applicants are awarded points for employment experience in a skilled occupation, either in Australia or another country. Experience must be in a nominated occupation on Australia’s Skilled Occupations List or an occupation that is closely related to earn points for skilled employment, and must have been gained within the last ten years.

Points are awarded separately for skilled employment experience gained within Australia and elsewhere. Points from both tables can be combined, but the maximum total points award for skilled employment is 20 points.

Factor 4: Educational qualifications (maximum 20 points):

Points are awarded for the applicant’s highest qualification only. For example, if the applicant has both a doctorate and a Bachelor’s degree points will only be awarded for the doctorate. In order to be awarded points any qualifications must be related to the applicant’s nominated occupation, and must be recognised as comparable to Australian qualifications; This will usually be verified during the skills assessment for the applicant’s nominated occupation.

Factor 5: Australian qualifications (maximum 05 points):

If the education is completed from an Australian educational institution then these points can be claimed. The course of study must have been at least two years in length.

Factor 6: Regional study (maximum 05 points):

Applicants are awarded another points if they meet the two-year study requirement while living and studying in a Regional Australia/low population growth metropolitan area of Australia.

Factor 7: Community language skills (maximum 05 points):

Applicants can claim these points if they have translator/interpreter level language skills in one of Australia’s designated community languages. These skills must be recognised by Australia’s National Accreditation Authority for Translators and Interpreters (NAATI). It usually conduct in Australia.

Factor 8: Spouse/partner skills and qualifications (maximum 10 points):

If the applicant is married and spouse/partner is included on the visa application, and is not an Australian resident/citizen, their education, experience and language skills can give you additional points. In order to gain points the spouse/partner must have positive skills assessment in nominated occupation and competent English language proficiency.

Factor 9: Spouse/partner English proficiency (maximum 05 points):

If the applicant is married and spouse/partner is included on the visa application, and is not an Australian resident/citizen, their competent English language skills can give you additional points.

Factor 10: Marital Status (maximum 10 points):

From November 2019, Australia gives you 10 more points if your marital status is single or your spouse is Australian citizen or permanent resident.

Factor 11: Professional year (maximum 10 points):

Applicants also score 5 points if they have completed an approved Professional Year in Australia in the last 4 years. A Professional Year is a structured professional development program which combines formal training with on-the-job experience. The professional year must have been in their nominated occupation or a closely related occupation.

Factor 12: Nomination and sponsorship (Subclass 190 and Subclass 491 only)

Skilled Nominated Subclass 190 is an option for permanent residency on Skilled Immigration visa. It requires sponsorship from state or territory government. Every state or territory also has its own requirements and occupation in demand list so in order to applying the specific state or territory, thorough research is essential. Migrants have to live or work at least 2 years in nominated state or territory out of 5 years visa as an obligation.

Skilled Regional Provisional Subclass 491 is a 5-year provisional visa allows to migrants live and work in certain areas (regions) of Australia. For this visa, sponsorship can taken from an eligible Australian relative living in designated area or by a state or territory government.  Migrants have to spend at least 3 years in designated area out of 5 years then they can be eligible to become permanent resident.